Britain shamed as Iraqi interpreters are resettled in squalid tower blocks

The first Iraqi interpreters to be offered refuge in Britain are living in fear in squalid tower blocks in Glasgow, The Times has learnt.

They complained of living among drunks and drug addicts, being abused and spat at, and of feeling isolated and unable to work. One girl of 9 had had her hijab torn off by one of her new neighbours.

Abdul, 71, one of three Iraqis who risked their lives working for British troops in Basra and were resettled in April with 15 dependents, advised others in a similar position to stay in Iraq.

The Government decided to offer sanctuary to some of the hundreds of Iraqis who have helped British Forces after their plight was highlighted by The Times. In Iraq they are regarded by extremists as traitors and many have been targeted by death squads.

Former defence chiefs and politicians from all parties attacked the handling of their relocation as “shaming” yesterday and said that Iraqi interpreters and other locally engaged staff deserved better treatment.

“These people have risked their lives for our troops in Iraq and to be treated like this is shaming,” General Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank said. He was head of the Army from 1994 to 1997 and then promoted to Chief of the Defence Staff until 2001.